Combination luminous ceiling and air conditioning system



Jan. 17, 1956 c. M. F. PETERSON 2,730,942

COMBINATION LUMINOUS CEILING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM Filed June 29, 1953 INVENTOR. CARL M. F. PETERSON United States atent O COMBINATION LUMINOUS CEILING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM Carl M. F. Peterson, Arlington, Mass., assignor, by mesne A assignments, to The Wakefield Company, Vermilion,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 29, 1951, Serial No. 234,250

3 Claims. (Cl. 98--40) The present invention relates generally as indicated to a combination luminous ceiling and air conditioning system and is more particularly concerned with a combinationl which provides a pleasant total environment including large-area, low brightness illumination for visual cornfort, acoustical control for auditory comfort, and air conditioning for personal comfort, all without sacrifice in efficiency of any one by reason of the provision of the others.

In general, luminous ceilings as presently known are composed of light diffusing panels forming a sub-ceiling or false ceiling beneath the ceiling proper of a room 'space and having illuminators thereabove, but such luminous ceilings, while admirably solving the problem of illumination of the room spaces therebeneath still leave much to be desired in the way of providing integrated environmental structures with reference to acoustical control and air conditioning of the room spaces.

Various improvements in a luminous ceiling structure as such are disclosed in the copending application of George P. Wakefield, Serial No. 93,620, tiled Mayy 16, 1949, now Patent No. 2,659,807, granted November 17, 1953, together with acoustical control achieved by formation of sound-deadening pockets on the under-surfaces ot the light diifusing panels for example, and air conditioning achieved by utilization of the space above the luminous ceiling as a plenum-chamber from which air may be uniformly diffused into the room space beneath the luminous ceiling as through openings dened between corrugated light diffusing panels and the supports upon which the edge portions of said panels laterally rest.

Still further improvements combining over-all illumination and acoustical control are disclosed in the Herbert L. Beckwith application, Serial No. 100,740, led June 22, 1949, now Patent No. 2,659,808, granted November 17, 1953. In his construction, acoustical bales of sound-absorbing material and in the form of relatively narrow elongated louvers or fins depend edgewise, in laterally spaced relation, from the luminous ceiling or other overhead lighting system so as to present opposite side faces of considerable area exposed for eifective sound-absorption, said baies additionally functioning as light shields to eliminate direct view of the luminous ceiling or of the illuminators thereabove at certain angles of sight cross-wise of said baffles in accordance with the depth and lateral spacing of said baffles. Said Beckwith application also contains a disclosure of the use of the space above a luminous ceiling as a plenum-chamber from which air may be uniformly diffused into the room space beneath the luminous ceiling as through judiciously located openings in the light diffusing panels of said luminous ceiling.

One problem which has been encountered, and at least ICC in part solved by Wakefield and Beckwith, in connection with air conditioning of room spaces equipped with luminous ceilings, is that it is often desirable to introduce or exhaust air into or from the room space from the ceiling area, whereby the use of conventional ceiling inlets and exhausts mounted in the place of one or more light diffusing panels is not satisfactory because such inlets or exhausts interrupt the over-ail illumination afforded by the luminous ceiling and thereby are detrimental to the visual environment.

Accordingly, it is one primary object of this invention to provide for efficient air conditioning from the ceiling area without in any way interfering with the over-all large-area, low brightness illumination afforded by the luminous ceiling or with the eifective acoustical control effected as by fin-like acoustical baies depending edgelWise in laterally spaced relation from the luminous ceiling.

Another object of this invention is to provide in combination with a luminous ceiling, a noiseless, draft-free air conditioning system characterized by uniformly ditfused, large-volurne-low-velocity air flow.

It is another object of this invention to provide in combination with a luminous or other sub-ceiling structure an air conditioning system in which a desired portion of the space above the luminous or other sub-ceiling is employed as a plenum-chamber from which air may l be introduced over a large area into the room space and another portion of such space constitutes an exhaust chamber into which room air is drawn over a large area and from which exhaust chamber the air either may be discharged into the atmosphere or purified, reconditioned (with reference to temperature, humidity, etc), and recirculated to the plenum-chamber.

Another object of this invention is to provide in conibination with an acoustically-batlied luminous ceiling, an air conditioning system in which the acoustical baffles constitute tins or varies to promote a general downward tlow of air so as to reach the iioor areas by precluding direct cross-over or horizontal air flow from the inlet area oi the luminous ceiling to the exhaust area thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel means for poistioning the light ditfusing panels of the luminous ceiling so as to obtain uniform size passages along the opposite edge portions kof the panels and for providing passages which elfect smooth change in the direction of How of the air so as to enter the room space angularly downwardly.

Another object of this invention is to provide in coinbination with a luminous ceiling, an air conditioning system which eliminates the necessity of pipes or ducts traversing the space above the luminous ceiling whereby such space is free of obstructions which would interfere with uniform diifusion or re'ection of light by the ceiling proper.

Another object of this invention is to provide in combination with a luminous ceiling an air conditioning system having supports for the light diffusing panels which, adjacent to the edge portions of the panels, are formed with light-shielding webs.

v Other objects and advantages will become apparent the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and relatedends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail one illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

lu said annexed drawing:

Fig. l is a vertical cross-section view, somewhat diagrammatic, of a room equipped with one form of the combination luminous ceiling and air conditioning system constituting the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the luminous ceiling structure to show the manner in which air flow openings are formed between the light diffusing panels and the supports therefor, and

Fig. 3 is a cross-section view in a vertical plane transverse to the panel support or Fig. 2 and passing through the crests of the panel corrugations.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the luminous ceiling structure 1 as illustrated in Fig. l comprises a laterally spaced series of relatively narrow, elongated support members 2 spaced beneath the ceiling proper 3 of the room 4, said members 2 preferably being substantially coextensive lengthwise with the ceiling proper in one direction and laterally spaced thereacross.

The manner of supporting said series of support members 2 is a matter of indifference insofar as the principal features of the present invention are concerned and may comprise, for example, parallel series of rod-like members (not shown) depending downwardly from the ceiling proper 3 and having their lower ends hooked, clamped, or otherwise secured at longitudinally spaced points along said support members 2. If desired, such rod-like members, as in the aforesaid Wakefield application, may be provided with sockets to receive illuminators, or lighting fixtures may be mounted directly on the ceiling proper 3 as in the Beckwith application or Rolph Patent No. 2,398,507 between successive series of said rod-like members. In Fig. l the illuminators are represented by the reference numerals 5, said illuminators preferably being tubular fluorescent lamps disposed parallel to support members 2.

In the present construction, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the elongated support members 2 are each of inverted T-shaped transverse cross-section fabricated as from relatively thin strip metal to provide upwardly facing ledges 6 with a web or fin 7 extending vertically therebetween and constituting a light shield as will hereinafter s appear. Said web or tin 7 is preferably formed with a beaded top edge for facilitating firm clamping as by means of suitable clamps (not shown) on the lower ends of the rod-like members previously referred to. Such web 7 adjacent the juncture thereof with the ledges 6 includes portions 8 which are laterally spaced from each other and inclined portions 9 which promote smooth flow of air as hereinafter more specifically pointed out. The opposite side walls 10 of the room 4 will have suitable support members 11 secured thereto providing the equivalent f" of ledges 6 and portions 8.

Extending between successive support members 2 and 11 and having opposite edge portions laterally resting on the ledges 6 thereof are light diffusing panels 12 which are of width substantially equal to the distance between the web portions 8 of successive support members 2 and 11 whereby said panels are automatically centered between successive support members 2 and 11 with the edges of said panels laterally spaced from the webs proper or from the side walls lll as the case may be.

As shown in Fig. 2, said panels 12 are transversely corrugated and may be in the form of elongated strips coextensive with the support members 2 and 11 or may comprise relatively shorter sections, adjacent ones of which overlap so as to fully close the space between successive support members 2 and 11, both lengthwise and cross-wise thereof.

It is preferred that the panels 12 be made of translucent plastic material and corrugated so as to provide stitening ribs which make possible the use of relatively thin stock without objectionable sagging between successive support members 2 and 11.

The particular shape of the corrugations of panels 12 is not critical but it is preferred to have corrugations of generally V-shape or smoothly curved sinuous shape.

As now evident, said light diffusing panels 12 and said support members 2 and 11 define a substantially continuous luminous ceiling 1 spaced beneath the ceiling proper 3 and beneath illuminators 5 whereby an over-all large area, low brightness illumination of the room 4 is afforded.

In the present construction, the space between the luminous ceiling 1 and the ceiling proper 3 is divided into two compartments as by means of a vertical partition 14 extending lengthwise of the room 4 and disposed between the opposite side walls 10. Leading into one compartment as through one side wall 10 is an air inlet duct 15 whereby such compartment constitutes a plenum-chamber 16 and leading from the other compartment as through the other side wall 10 is an exhaust duct 17 whereby such other compartment constitutes an exhaust chamber 18.

In order to impart acoustical control or auditory comfort in the room space, relatively narrow, elongated acoustical baftles 19 are secured so as to depend edgewise from the undersurfaces of the elongated support members 2. Each of said bahes 19 comprises a body 20 of fibrous or equivalent sound-absorbing material having opposite side faces exposed for efficient sound-absorption.

Encasing each body 2t), in laterally spaced relation, is a perforated casing 21 of relatively thin material such as sheet metal, plastic, or the like, which may be cleansed, painted, or otherwise surface-treated without affecting the sound-absorbing properties of the body 20 therewithin. The perforated casings 21 are secured to support members 2 as by means of interlocking edges 22 on the respective support members 2 and casings 21, as is best shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Said acoustical baflies 19 constitute, in addition to sound-absorbing means, light shields for preventing di` rect view of the luminous ceiling at angles of sight crosswise of said baflies 19 in accordance with the depth and lateral spacing thereof. A further function of said baliies 19 is to promote a downward flow of air from the plenum chamber 16 so that the air will be more effectively circulated in the lower regions of the room 4.

In operation, air which enters the plenum`charnber 16 through the inlet 15 will be uniformly diffused into the room space beneath the luminous ceiling 1 through the flow openings dened between the support members 2 and 11 and the edge portions of the corrugated light diffusing panels 12. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the air tiows downwardly between the webs 7 of the support members 2 and the edges of the panels 12 which are laterally spaced from said webs and when the air strikes the web portions 9 the same is deflected laterally to liow generally lengthwise of and horizontally between the corrugations of said panels 12 and the ledges 6 of the support members 2 and 11. From paired series of iiow openings from each support member 2, the general air flow will be downwardly diverging as represented by lines 23 and because of the acoustical batiies 1g, such air is effectively caused to flow downwardly to reach the lower regions of the room 4. By provision of an exhaust chamber 18 in the luminous ceiling structure, air from the room space will be exhausted through the liow openings defined between the panels 12 and the support members 2 and 11 and through the exhaust chamber 18 and exhaust duct 17 for exhausting to the atmosphere or for temperature modification, humidity control, purification, etc., and recirculation to the inlet duct 1'5 and plenum-chamber 16. No equipment for conditioning the air has been shown because any desired form thereof may be employed. The reference to temperature modification, of course includes supply either of heated or cooled air into the room space as required for winter or summer air conditioning for maintaining the room 4 at proper temperature at all times with adequate air supply and distribution for proper ventilation.

Following is a typical installation:

Room size-16 square and 10 in height. Volume of room-16 16 10=2560 cu. ft. Luminous ceiling details:

(a) Supports: Five supports 2 and two supports 11 each 16' long provide (5 2 l6)}(2 16) or 192 lineal feet of ledge 6.

(b) Light diffusing panels: Panels 12 with corruga gations of 21/2 cycle and approximately 1" height provide an air flow area of approximately 1 square inch per cycle or 4.8 square inches per running foot of opposite side edges of the panels.

Air flow data:

Total flow area through luminous ceiling: 192 4.8

or approximately 920 square inches.

Flow area from plenum 16 of same size as exhaust chamber 18:46() square inches.

Recommended maximum velocity of air through corrugations in luminous ceiling=200 ft./min.

Volume of air flowing at 200 ft. per minute:

or approximately 640 cu. ft./min. Time for complete air change=2560/640 or approximately 4 minutes. Air changes per hour=60/ 4 or approximately 15.

The number of air changes in the foregoing example is far in excess of that required for the usual room space uses so that the air velocity through the luminous ceiling can be greatly reduced from the indicated value of 200 ft./min.

The air supply in this example is therefore adequate to provide the desired number of cubic feet of air per person per minute in school classrooms, theaters, assembly rooms, offices, etc., and even the desired greater number of cubic feet per person per minute in hospitals, smoking rooms, lavatories, and the like.

Of course, merely to supply enough air to a room is not sufficient for good ventilation but in addition the air must be distributed uniformly so that each occupant receives approximately the desired amount. The distribution as here effected is uniform and is draft-free in the occupied zone of the room (velocity less than 2 ft./min.). Moreover, the air conditioning herein is noise-free at the velocities indicated and even if such velocities are materially increased to provide many more air changes per hour as required under special circumstances, any noise therefrom will be effectively absorbed by the acoustical baiiles 19 which are located in close proximity to the noise source.

Although the space above luminous ceiling 1 is herein shown as divided into two equal-size compartments 16 and 18, it will be evident that in some instances it may be preferred not to divide the space but to supply air through the entire luminous ceiling area and to exhaust the air through exhaust ducts at or near the oor level of the room or to supply air at or near tloor level and to exhaust the air through the entire luminous ceiling area. Other alternatives are to divide the space above the luminous ceiling into three or more compartments as for example a central inlet (or exhaust) compartment and adjacent exhaust (or inlet) compartments.

In summary, the present invention provides a unique air conditioning system which in combination with a luminous ceiling alfords an integrated pleasant total environment with regard to visual, auditory, and personal comforts.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such, be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a room space having a ceiling, the combination of a subceiling structure spaced beneath the room ceiling and comprising alternate series of relatively wide transversely corrugated panels, and relatively narrow elongated panel support members upon which opposite corrugated marginal edges of said panels laterally rest, said members being of inverted generally T-shaped crosssection providing upwardly extending webs and opposite lateral flanges respectively disposed between and underlying the marginal edges of successive panels, said webs being formed with laterally olset portions which serve to space the corrugated edges of successive panels from each other and from the webs therebetween to thus form with the corrugated marginal edges paired series of air flow passages longitudinally along said panel sup port members, and means for creating an air pressure differential between the spaces above and below said subceiling structure for thereby inducing flow of air through said paired series of passages.

2. In a room space having a ceiling, the combination of a subceiling structure spaced beneath the room ceiling and comprising alternate series of relatively wide transversely corrugated panels, and relatively narrow elongated panel support members upon which opposite corrugated marginal edges of said panels lateraly rest, said members being of inverted generally T-shaped cross-section providing upwardly extending webs and opposite lateral anges respectively disposed between and underlying the marginal edges of successive panels, said webs being formed with laterally offset portions which serve to space the corrugated edges of successive panels from each other and from the webs therebetween to thus form with the corrugated marginal edges paired series of air flow passages longitudinally along the llanges of said panel support members, a partition dividing the space between the room ceiling and said subceiling structure into separate compartments, and air inlet and exhaust ducts leading into the respective compartments for causing air flow into and from the room space below said subceiling structure through the paired series of passages leading into the respective compartments.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said panel support members are provided with relatively narrow elongated baffles which depend downwardly below said subceiling structure to control air flow downwardly from and upwardly into the respective compartments.

References Cited in the ille of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 297,835 Palmer Apr. 29, 1884 1,511,920 Tregillus Oct. 14, 1924 1,900,369 Smith Mar. 7, 1933 1,956,773 Puger May 1, 1934 2,160,638 Bedell et al. May 30, 1939 2,221,001 Lucius Nov. l2, 1940 2,291,220 Germonprez July 28, 1942 2,334,484 Dunbar Nov. 16, 1943 2,398,507 Rolph Apr. 16, 1946 2,519,503 Rigamount Aug. 22, 1950 2,527,031 Rambusch Oct. 24, 1950 2,655,348 Siering Oct. 13, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 108,528 Germany Feb. 19, 1900 

